BTS leader RM is making a major impact beyond music as his art exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has reportedly sold more than 66,000 tickets, bringing renewed attention and financial support to the museum.
According to a report published by British newspaper The Guardian on October 24, RM's exhibition, RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me, has attracted extraordinary interest since opening on October 3.
The exhibition reportedly recorded advance ticket sales six times higher than any previous exhibition at SFMOMA, marking an unprecedented level of demand for the museum.
The excitement also extended to exhibition merchandise, with items sold through the museum's physical and online stores reportedly selling out within just three hours.
Shane Salvata, the museum's retail director, described the response as something the institution had never experienced before and might never experience again.
The success comes at an important time for SFMOMA, which has faced financial challenges. The museum reportedly recorded a $5 million deficit last year and reduced its workforce by 7.5%.
RM's exhibition has since provided a welcome boost through ticket sales, merchandise demand, and increased visitor interest. However, the museum's overall financial recovery has not yet been fully established.
The exhibition features 142 artworks from RM's personal collection alongside 36 pieces from SFMOMA's collection.
Visitors can explore paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, and other works personally selected for the exhibition. RM also contributed recorded audio guides and a music playlist, giving visitors a closer look at his artistic interests.
During a press preview before the opening, RM spoke about the personal meaning behind the exhibition.
“There aren't many things that show a person as honestly as a collection they've built over a long time,” he shared.
He also acknowledged that he does not have formal training in art history or curatorial work, adding that someone from outside the traditional art world can sometimes bring a fresh perspective.
RM further explained that although the project began with simple intentions, preparing the descriptions for the artworks required him to rewrite them many times.
The Guardian also praised the exhibition's artistic content, noting that while RM's celebrity status attracts considerable attention, the collection and curatorial work deserve recognition of their own.
SFMOMA curator America Castillo, who first approached RM about the exhibition two years ago while he was serving in the military, expressed surprise at the emotional reactions from visitors.
Castillo shared that seeing people cry inside the exhibition galleries was unexpected but deeply moving.
The exhibition's popularity has also attracted international visitors, with hundreds of fans reportedly lining up outside the museum on opening day.
With more than 66,000 tickets sold and record-breaking advance demand, RM's latest project highlights his growing influence in the international art world.
RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me will continue at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art until February 7, 2027.
